Sanctuary: The Watching Woods

Navigate The Watching Woods Sanctuary in Salt and Sanctuary. Learn about the Stone Roots Creed, Alchemists, item transmutation, and prepare for the Bloated Monstrosity boss fight.

This Sanctuary is claimed by the Stone Roots Creed. You'll find an Alchemist here, who can transmute items using Stone Alchemist Offerings. However, this Alchemist requires membership in the Stone Roots Creed to function. Alchemists transmute weapons, changing their appearance, damage, scaling, and upgrade stats. Transmutation requires enemy drops like Ears and Ashes, plus found items like Amber Idols and Silver Leaf. About half of the upgrades need Amber Idols, which you might not have unless you chose one at character creation. Silver Leaf can be obtained from Poison Cytoplasms.

It is not necessary to worry about transmuting items at this point. Joining the Stone Roots is primarily for poison enchantments/items and a trophy. If you join the Stone Roots for the first time by taking an oath at the altar, you will earn the trophy "The Stone Roots".

Before facing the next boss, head back out the left exit. The boss is located above the respawned Bloated Monstrosity. Near the Bloated Monstrosity, on the wooden stairs by the ladder, is a Poison Cytoplasm. Before climbing the ladder, jump to the right off the platform to land on the Sanctuary roof. Here you will find a chest containing the Leather Set (Armor) and a Gray Pearl.

For the upcoming boss, it is recommended to have high Poison Resistance, and some Fire, Arcane, and Lightning Resistance. Equipping Antidotes is also advised. Consider visiting merchants for enchantments like Pitchfire, Stained Pages, or Blessed Pages. A Stone Guide can be used for fast travel.

For casters, a new casting weapon is not available for a while. You can purchase a staff from the Stone Mage Offering, which may be a decent upgrade if you rely solely on spells. The Scrimshaw Cane, a better staff, will be found later. The merchant also sells a Charged Ring to increase the Magic stat for 8000 gold, but this can also be found much later.

When ready for the boss, climb the ladder previously guarded by the Poison Cytoplasm to reach the boss marker.